Peter Holm visits with students during a reception at the Valley City State University Art Gallery Thursday, April 17. Holm’s photography is on display, along with the work of Rob Whitney, as part of Through the Lens exhibition at the VCSU gallery until Friday, April 25. (Sheila Anderson/VCTR) 

By Sheila Anderson
Valley City Times-Record

Peter Holm bucks the trend when it comes to photography.
While many people are immersing themselves in digital photography these days, Holm continues working with his preferred medium -  black and white film.
Holm even takes it a step further by developing his work in a darkroom.
“I enjoy the physical aspect of black and white developing,” Holm said. “I think it’s fun to spend time in the darkroom.”
Holm said he is biased toward Midwestern views, and focuses on North Dakota and Minnesota.
“Basically, the kind of photo I keep going back to is street photography,” Holm said.
Street photography means going out and finding candid images. Holm said this can be accomplished simply by wandering around downtown in a city, but also emphasized the importance of not being disruptive as a photographer.
“The challenge is capturing what is already there,” Holm said. “You just want people to be themselves.”
Holm said he doesn’t like to use a lot of darkroom tricks and follows the philosophy of straight photography. This means a photographer doesn’t really change things. A photo is left as one sees it in the camera, with little cropping, enhancement or filter use.
“So many images are too perfect,” Holm said. “In straight photography, you don’t really change things - you see something, you take a picture.”
Holm said he doesn’t consider himself a professional photographer. In fact, most of his influences have made their living through other means than photography.
“My experience isn’t this nice, clean, straight path,” Holm said.
According to Holm, much of what he has learned has come from summer workshops, where he has been lucky enough to encounter people who could relate to his images.
Holm is inspired by photojournalism, and likes the work of French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson and Swiss photographer Robert Frank, among others.
Holm holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography, and resides in Duluth, Minn. Holm’s work is on display at the Valley City State University Art Gallery until Friday, April 25.